the economy's growing instead of contracting. in the first quarter of 2009, the gdp contracted and grew 3.1% when measured last. now, though it remains where it was before the great recession, consumer confidence has nearly doubled and a larger percentage of americans, 41% according to our last poll, believe the country's heading in the right direction, up 26% in january 2009. on the other hand, there's other data to support the idea that the country is not much better off and that the struggling economy is taking a toll on families. median household income, lower than it was in 2009. 46% millions live below the poverty line. more than four years ago. the federal public debt has increased from $10.6 trillion in january 2009 to $16.4 trillion now. there's the big number same as four years ago. the unemployment rate of 7.8%, though it's down from a high of 10% in october 2009. other figures of the last four years. number of u.s. troops in iraq, dropped from nearly 140,000 to 200. as the president fulfilled the promise to end that w